Red Hannya and gold dragon Japanese backpiece by a Chameleon Tattoo artist

First and finest
in Union Square

Somerville's original tattoo shop. Since 2000, our artists have covered this city in traditional Japanese, bold Americana, and black and grey that still reads sharp twenty years later.

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★★★★★ 4.6 · 311 reviews Established 2000 Fully licensed Walk-ins welcome

Every style, one shop

A range of hands under one roof. Find the one that fits the piece you have been carrying around in your head.

Blue Hannya mask Japanese backpiece

Japanese

Irezumi, backpieces, sleeves Color ship-in-a-bottle traditional forearm tattoo

Americana

Bold lines, old school Black and grey portrait arm tattoo

Black & Grey

Realism that ages well Color creature forearm tattoo

Color

Saturated, built to last

Piercing

Fully-licensed body piercing

Twenty-four years on skin

A sample from the shop, healed and worn in. Real clients, real pieces. Browse each artist's full galleries for more.

Color geisha and maple backpiece
Blue yokai Japanese backpiece
Samurai warrior backpiece
Red thunder god Raijin backpiece
Black and grey Medusa arm portrait
Color horse and lavender thigh piece
Black and grey jellyfish forearm
Black and grey character forearm
See full galleries
Maiden and wolves backpiece by a Chameleon Tattoo artist

The first licensed shop in Union Square

We opened when Union Square was still a local secret. A wall of awards later, we are still here, still taking walk-ins, still the shop people cross Boston for.

Our story

Hands you can ask for

Each artist has their own lane. Book with the one whose work matches the piece you want.

Work by Rueben

Rueben

Japanese · Backpieces

Large-scale Japanese and color work built to wrap the body and last.

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Black and grey portrait by Joe

Joe

Black & Grey · Realism

Realistic black and grey with the contrast to stay readable for decades.

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Color traditional piece by Jared

Jared

Americana · Old School

Bold traditional with clean lines and color that holds its ground.

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4.6★
311Google reviews
2000Open since
5Styles in house
100%Licensed
"Our styles range from traditional Japanese to classic Americana, old school, and realistic black and grey. And everything in between."
Chameleon Tattoo · Union Square, since 2000
Blue yokai Japanese backpiece by a Chameleon artist

Find us on Union Square

33 Union Square, Somerville, MA. Open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 7. Call during shop hours to set up a consult, or just walk in.

Call (617) 876-0412 Get directions

Good to know

Do you take walk-ins?

Yes, whenever an artist is free. For a specific artist or a larger piece, call ahead during shop hours and we will set up a consult so the chair is yours.

How do I book?

Call (617) 876-0412 during shop hours, or email unionsqtattoo@gmail.com with your idea, a rough size, and placement. The more detail you give us, the better the consult.

What styles do your artists work in?

Traditional Japanese, classic Americana and old school, realistic black and grey, color, and full custom work. Tell us what you want and we will point you to the right hand.

Do you do piercings too?

Yes. We are a fully-licensed shop for both tattoo and body piercing, all under the same roof on Union Square.

How do I care for a fresh tattoo?

You leave with full aftercare instructions, and we are a phone call away if anything comes up while it heals. See our aftercare guide for the details.